Have we had enough of trying to un-do the past? I am referring to the expensive and futile trials of Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens, whose cases are relevant to the ongoing pursuit of Lance Armstrong. The charges against Bonds and Clemens ultimately failed because Major League Baseball allowed itself to be stonewalled by Donald Fehr and the Players Association long enough to avoid adequate rules and testing during the time of the steroids plague. By the same token, cycling was a swarm of corruption because every layer of that sport did not want to know – the Tour de France, the international federation, the sponsors, the media. Now the United States Anti-Doping Agency is going after Armstrong, who was beating riders who were ultimately caught cheating. Some of them are now giving testimony that Armstrong was the ringleader of cheating by his team. Some of the potential witnesses were loyal teammates of Armstrong. Their testimony could be important. But before going any further, USADA ought to look at the Clemens trial. The best thing Clemens had going for him was his accuser. McNamee was always a sleaze, even dressed up in a suit and tie for court or Congress, and he could never escape the aura of creepiness. The second best thing Clemens had going was the soft-minded indecisiveness of Andy Pettitte, his old buddy, who could not stay on message during his testimony. Pettitte probably received bad coaching from the same prosecutors who blew the first trial. They never had a chance the second time. The case should never have been re-tried. Nevertheless, we all pretty much know what Clemens is, a bully and a blowhard, and we have a pretty good idea that he cheated. Now he will be judged by time, and the public, and also by the baseball writers who vote for the Hall of Fame. The New York Times does not allow its writers to vote for awards in any field. If I did have a vote, I would not cast it for Clemens or Bonds because I have no doubt they juiced and lied about it. A whole generation – including Sosa, McGwire, Palmeiro and Canseco -- is going to be judged by this odd scruffy jury with long memories.Nobody likes being conned. One thing we have learned from these failed trials is that everybody needs to upgrade their laws and their senses to avoid the next round of plagues in every sport – doping, brain damage, gambling, sex abuse, corruption in American scholastic and college sports. Let’s fight the next battles. What’s your reaction?

George, Since I have been advising you about this case for 5 years, I will take this offline and privately.

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martyl

06/19/2012 10:55am

you got it right, no one likes to be conned.

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John McDermott

06/19/2012 7:43pm

The question we will probably be forced to ask ourselves very soon is to what degree, if any, does a significant record of public service, charity and devotion to raising public awareness about cancer mitigate a long history of doping and deception in a sport where if you did not dope you could not compete. I, for one, don't really have an answer. "Because everybody else was doing it" is an explanation, but not an excuse. Another example of the cover up being worse than the alleged crime.

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Alan Rubin

06/20/2012 10:09pm

George,

You are correct in that there will always be high profile sports scandals, as well as the many that are never known, as long as human behavior is driven by greed, lust for power and control, and a sense of entitlement to name a few.

The NCAA, FIFA, MLB, NFL, big time college programs, etc. control the players, and all too often, harm them for the sake profit. Professional athletes are also part of this equation in that far too many will utilize illegal substances to enhance their performances to gain an edge on the competition. Legal drugs are also encouraged by management to help them play with pain and often injuries. By doing this, they either knowingly or not, are putting their health and often their lives at risk.

Management is beginning to address some of these problems, but I feel that for the most part they do not truly care.

Although it is not the thrust of this topic, the same applies congress and all the predatory industries coddled by them.

Conversely, there are many sincere and caring individuals and organizations who are dedicated to human wellbeing and the betterment of society. Some are adequately funded, but collectively they fall far short of the corrosive money that supports the scandalous behavior that affects the lives and living standards of most Americans. It would be difficult to know, but I suspect that the scale is grossly unbalanced.

Another factor to be considered is public apathy. Although it is impossible to correct all the ills of the world, doing nothing should never be an option. As much as possible, these practices should be exposed. A constant and collective public pressure, over time, can minimize the abuses. People like Joe Nocea, who is holding the NCAA’s feet to fire, Elizabeth Warren who is fighting for consumer protections and trying to help the middle class are just two examples of people fighting back.

I believe that people should not complain about things unless they are trying to do something about it. They might not always be pleased with the results, but there is satisfaction in the belief that you can make a difference.

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Brian Savin

06/22/2012 10:23am

Show me the money, and I'll show you the corruption.

When the principal sports were elevated to mass entertainment by mass media it didn't take long. What's less understood is how far the new culture has permeated. It has destroyed college sports and impacted college admissions. It has driven high schools to well documented unhealthy early class starting times to accommodate team practices. It may all have been started by what George calls "King Football" but the poison has spread and continues to do so. Can professional lacrosse get a piece of the action? Should we really cheer for the success of professional soccer in this country?